Construction to slow traffic this weekend near U.S. 95 and Rainbow

By Gregan Wingert

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 | 7:22 p.m.

Shoppers headed to Boca Park or hikers traveling to Red Rock this weekend may want to plan for some additional drive time as a U.S. Highway 95 construction project might cause a few delays.

Motorists near Rainbow Boulevard and the U.S. 95 will face detours and closures this weekend and next as part of the $26 million construction project, according to Nevada Department of Transportation officials.

From 7 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, a portion of Rainbow Boulevard will be closed and traffic on U.S. 95 will be detoured, transportation officials said. Marathon construction of the bridge’s overhead girders will continue Feb. 10 through Feb. 13.

Traffic on U.S. 95 during the construction will be pared to two lanes in each direction from Jones to Lake Mead boulevards, transportation officials said. The suggested speed limit will be 15 mph near the construction area.

The federally funded project will create an overpass for high-occupancy vehicles to exit onto Summerlin Parkway and safely avoid weaving traffic, transportation officials said.

Completion is slated for this summer.